Micron appoints Durcan CEO

SAN FRANCISCO—Micron Technology Inc. Saturday (Feb. 4) appointed D. Mark Durcan CEO, one day after longtime leader Steve Appleton was killed in a plane crash.

Durcan assumed the duties of CEO Friday following Appleton's death in conjunction with Micron's bylaws. The company's board officially promoted him to the position Saturday.

Durcan, who has served as the company's president and chief operating officer since 2007, had planned to retire in August at the conclusion of Micron's fiscal year. But a spokesman for Micron confirmed Saturday that Durcan, 51, had delayed his retirement plans indefintely in the wake of Appleton's death and his subsequent appointment.

"I have provided the board my ongoing commitment to work with the management team and continue to move the company forward," Durcan said through a statement.

Durcan was also named to Micron's board of directors Saturday. The board also appointed Robert E. Switz, a director, to the role of chairman of the board.

Micron's board also appointed Mark W. Adams to the position of president. Adams, who had been Micron's vice president of worldwide sales, had been tabbed to replace Durcan as president and COO in August.

Durcan, who joined Micron in 1984, also previously served as the firm's chief technology officer.

"We are fortunate to be able to appoint someone with Mark's operations and technical leadership experience to serve as the company's CEO," Switz said. "Mark has been instrumental in Micron's success in his role as President and COO and has garnered the respect of the company, his team members and the industry at large."

Mark Durcan seems to be a decent, competent guy. But I don't know that he has any real vision of the company being anything other than what it is right now. Micron is at a cross roads where some longer term strategic thinking is needed.
Micron is known for having an insular corporate culture that nearly always promotes it's executives from within. It might be time to break from that tradition.

Hey, let's give Mark a chance to shine and see how he steers the boat. Under Appleton is was his way or out the door. Mark is a very smart guy and could take the company to new levels and opportunities. Shake up Boise Mark, here is your chance!